Sport and Globalization in London & Seville

S&G took a trip out to the Chelsea FC academy training grounds to check out the facilities and watch an in-house training match. We were taken around by Chelsea FC Academy's Education and Welfare Officer, Gerry Harvey. The entire training ground has been completely transformed and enhanced under Roman Abramovich's tenure. Where he wants tall bushes, there are tall bushes. Where he feels a lake will improve the aesthetics, a lake there is. Unfortunately with the lake also came migrating birds, so they added in fake gunshot sounds during the migratory seasons. The academy is focused on developing top players and has soccer pitches farther than the eye can see. Gerry told us that they draw inspiration for their program from all over, even from the elite ballet academy in their own backyard! It is an extremely professional environment.